"In '68 or '69, [Bill and I] started this group called Fat Chance," Eaton said. "We got a job at this place called Large David's that used to be over by The Downtowner. One night, Phil Garonzik [a sax player] and Fred Sherman [a horn player] showed up looking for a job. They sat in with us, and it was incredible. It changed the whole group."
Within a few months, the members of Fat Chance took a chance. They packed up their horns, guitars, drums, keyboards and iconic '70s rock sound and moved to Los Angeles. It was 1972, and bands like Chicago, Transit Authority and Blood, Sweat and Tears were radio mainstays. Fat Chance's music was a perfect fit.
Shortly after arriving in L.A., Fat Chance secured a gig at The Troubadour. Luck was still on their side because that night, they were signed to RCA. Before the ink on the contracts could dry, they were touring the United States, opening for British prog-rock band Yes.
Fat Chance's rise to success was followed shortly by a fall. For Eaton, the story of the band's break-up is really no story at all.
"We broke up for stupid reasons," Eaton said enigmatically.
LaBounty moved back to Nashville and would forge an impressive career, not only performing but also writing songs for the likes of Patti LaBelle, Jimmy Buffett, Brooks and Dunn, The Judds and Tim McGraw.
Eaton went on to record solo, releasing 1974's Hey Mr. Dreamer and a self-titled follow-up on Capitol Records.
by Amy Atkins
Originally released by RCA in 1972, the sole full-length by a talented band from Boise, Idaho is now revived on CD! Fat Chance managed to combine soft-rock with jazzy brass-rock, resulting in this appealing self-titled album.
Tracks
1. One More Time (Bill LaBounty, Steve Eaton) - 3:53
2. We Are The People (Bill LaBounty, Steve Eaton) - 2:59
3. Funny Hats (Bill LaBounty) - 3:29
4. Oh Lavinia (Wayne Bennett) - 3:41
5. That's Not Love (Bill LaBounty) - 2:34
6. Hello Misery (Steve Eaton) - 4:29
7. Country Morning (Steve Eaton) - 3:06
8. Pirate (Bill LaBounty) - 4:30
9. Love Sick Rag (Steve Eaton) - 2:32
10.Lovin' Kind (Bill LaBounty) - 3:21
11.It's A Crime (Bill LaBounty, Dale Borge) - 4:22
12.Beauty (Kathy Deasy, Mike Deasy) - 3:25
The Fat Chance
*Dale Borge - Bass, Vocals
*Steve Eaton - Vocals, Guitar, Harp
*Phil Garonzik - Woodwinds
*Gordon Hirsch - Drums
*Bill LaBounty - Keyboards, Vocals
*Fred Sherman - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
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